News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

A small strip – or rather a 10-meter long one – of Antrim Town quite literally greeted U.S. President Barack Obama when he touched down at Belfast International Airport last Monday morning.

Obama's first step on to Northern Irish soil was straight on to red carpet supplied by Gourley's, a family firm with three stores in the town.

The two carpets marked the path of the President's short stroll from Air Force One to his waiting car, and then from the car to the V.I.P. section of the airport.
[Source: Antrim Guardian]

ARMAGH

Crossmaglen and South Armagh Chamber of Commerce launched their “Buy Local” Campaign on Friday, June 14, at Cross Square Hotel.

Newly-appointed Mayor Michael Ruane attended the launch and highlighted the campaign’s aim to encourage citizens to spend their money within the local community, by informing them of the economic and cultural benefits of buying local and supporting local jobs.

Businesses in the area had the opportunity to come along to the launch and showcase the best of Crossmaglen and South Armagh’s products and services while being encouraged by the Mayor to support the local Chamber and fully endorse the campaign.
[Source: Examiner Newspaper]

CARLOW

Three fishermen were viciously assaulted Thursday evening, June 13, by a gang of youths in Carlow Town, resulting in all three being hospitalized. Jackie Owens and his brothers, Jim and Michael Murphy, were set upon by the gang on the banks of the River Burrin in Carlow town center. “If the Gardaí (police) hadn’t come along, I don’t know if we’d be here today,” Jackie told The Nationalist.

The three veteran anglers were walking on the river bank at approximately 7 p.m. on Thursday when “two young lads came flying up on horses.” Jackie confronted the pair, telling them to get off the track because they were a danger to the public and threatened to call the Gardaí if they didn’t leave.
[Source: Carlow Nationalist]

CAVAN

Two weeks ago, cyclist groups in Cavan gave a warm welcome to the official opening of one section of a network of cycle paths that ultimately will cost over two-thirds of a million dollars. Cavan Town received a $890,000 grant to develop a cycle and walk pathway on the outskirts of the town.

The Minister of State for public and commuter transport, Alan Kelly, officially opened the cycle path on Tuesday, June 11, one of the many official openings of cycle paths he completed across the country that day. The Active Travel scheme that funded the construction of a 1.5-mile walking path as well as a 3.7-mile cycle lane was supported by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

The aim of the scheme is to reduce traffic congestion within the town and to encourage more sustainable modes of transport. The next stage of the cycle lane development is due to start in September with an additional eight-mile of cycle lane being funded.
[Source: The Anglo Celt]
CLARE

A smartphone application that uses G.P.S. technology and Google Maps to guide tourists around the heritage trails of Ennis has gone live.

The Ennis Walking Trails app provides detailed information and photographs for 56 points of interest along five walking routes around the county town. Amongst the well-known heritage attractions profiled in the app are Ennis Friary, Chapel Lane, Poor Clares Monastery, Ennis Courthouse, Bindon Street, O’Connell Monument, Steeles Rock and the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.

The walking routes, which are also highlighted by color-coded signage and on 41 associated interpretation boards around the town, range from 0.6-mile to 1.9-mile and take 35-80 minutes to complete. The app also includes audio information relating to 13 points of interest under “People & Places.”
[Source: Clare Champion]

CORK

One Cork neighborhood has been left horrified after the discovery of the body of a foal, whose ears and tail had been removed. The mutilated foal, which appears to have died during birth, was discovered by a group of local children, including Kaitlyn O'Connell (12), whose mother, Emer, said the discovery was gruesome.

"There has always been horses in the field where Kaitlyn found the foal. Its two ears and tail had been cut off cleanly, it was obvious that it was done with a knife rather than by another animal. It's crazy, Kaitlyn was very upset when she rung me to say what she had seen. The area the foal was found in is often used by children and walkers and I just don't know why anyone would act out so violently. She was very shaken by the whole thing," Emer O'Connell told the Cork Independent.
[Source: Cork Independent]

DERRY

A Derry woman charged with a number of offenses under terrorism legislation, including possession of explosives, was granted bail at Belfast High Court last Thursday.